The Scottish Clans and Their Tartans : With Notes

[Mike S]

Actually most published histories, no less than the Countess of Sutherland herself, claims a branch of them as a sept within the clan history.

[Calgacus]

A bit off topic, but I used to live next door to Keith Hall, the ancestral home of the Keiths. The oldest part of the castle, the Tower House, was restored and came up for sale about five years ago. I toyed with buying it but didn't. I wish I had, as it has subsequently sold for a whole lot more than it was when I looked at it. The price has pretty much doubled! I'm absolutely gutted!

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...-38209630.html

[Mike S]

Actually most published histories, no less than the Countess of Sutherland herself, claims a branch of them as a sept within the clan history.

"Although a clan unto themselves, in the 14th century the Keiths had a branch that became a sept of Sutherland when John de Keith, second son of Edward, Earl Marischal of Scotland, married Mariota Cheyne of Akergill, daughter and heiress of Reginald Cheyne and Lady Joanna of Strathnaver. Sir Reginald divided his lands between his two daughters, Mariota and her husband gaining Strathbrock and half of Caithness.

The son of John Keith and Mariota, Andrew of Inverugie and Strabrock had a daughter who married Kenneth Sutherland, the third son of William the 5th Earl of Sutherland and the brother of Robert the 6th Earl of Sutherland. This Kenneth was the ancestor of the Sutherlands of Forse and he obtained a charter of the Forse lands in 1408 from Mariota. Andrew Keith, the son of John and Mariota, later confirmed this charter.

John and Mariota's line died out when their great-great-grandson Alexander died with two daughters as heiresses. Margaret married William Keith, 4th Earl of Marischal and Janet married Andrew, 2nd Lord Gray. Inverugie Castle (a Cheyne seat until Mariota's inheritance) was rebuilt by William and Margaret's grandson George who succeeded his grandfather as the 5th Earl of Marischal. These estates remained in the family until 1766 when they were sold. Other lands in Caithness passed into the hands of the Earl of Caithness in the early 17th century."

[bdkilted]

Mike; OK that explains it.
Calgacus; I tried to find Keith Hall in 09 when I was over there, but GPS took me somewhere else. I think our Chief sold it when he moved to the capital.